I am hoping someone could pass on any info about my great grandfather (Nicola Ricca). I was told by my late Grandmother (Elaine Russonella) that both her Mother and Father were both from Sant' Andrea Di Conza, Italy. I was also told by my Uncle that alot of our family came from Salerno. I would greatly appreciate any info, because I will be going to these places in December.

If the census above is your grandmother and her family, then I am certain this is the manifest for her brother Vito and their mother Anna Maria Ricciardiello.

The 1930 census says Anna arrived in the US in 1906 and Vito in 1920. This manifest however says that neither Anna nor Vito were ever in the US before. Frankly, I think the 1930 census is in error concerning Anna's arrival (common), if for no other reason than that she has no children born between Vito who is 21 in 1930 and Lena who is just 8 years old. The best explanation for this dry spell is that Alesandro was in the US while Anna and son Vito were in Italy during the intervening years (also quite common).

johnnyonthespot, I am so glad I registered on this site. Im going to try to explain a little better. My Father is Nicholas Ricca, his mother (My Grandmother was Elaine Russoniello, Maiden), My Grandfather was (John Ricca). My Great Grandfather was (Nicola Ricca) dont know what his wife's name. I know that my Grandfather was one of the "Brother's in Ricca Brothers oil and coal co. Also, like I stated in my last email, Both my Great Grandfather and Great Grandmother lived in the Sant' Andrea Di Conza. I'm a little confused regarding my Grandmother's maiden name. I thought her Maiden name was Russoniella, im not sure to be honest. Thank you very much for your help. Any other info would be huge,Nicholas Ricca

Can you confirm that the information I posted above about Lena Russoniello and her family is most likely your grandmother?

Very often, in order to find one person (such as your grandfather), we first look for another person (your grandmother).

Did your grandparents live in Essex County, New Jersey? If not, then where?

Does 1922 seem to be a reasonable birth year for your grandmother, Elaine? Was your grandfather about the same age?

Where (state, city) was Ricca Brothers Oil and Coal located?

niclin1969 wrote:...I'm a little confused regarding my Grandmother's maiden name. I thought her Maiden name was Russoniella, im not sure to be honest.

The Russoniella surname does not exist today in Italy in any meaningful numbers (no listings at all in the Italian telephone directory). This is usually a good sign that the spelling is incorrect. Russoniello has a large pocket centered in Sant'Andrea di Conza and an almost equal number scattered throughout Italy: http://www.gens.labo.net/en/cognomi/genera.html?cognome=RUSSONIELLO

Carmine

My hobby is finding things. Having found most of my own, I am happy to help others find theirs. PM me!

Your right on several fronts. My grandmother's name was Elaine Russoniello. Her husband, my Grandfather was John Ricca. John Ricca was a partner in that Oil and Coal co, and also the Ice distribution co. I do believe they resided in Essex County, Newark I'm told. My Great Grandfather is Nicola or Nicholas Ricca. I guess he was born in Naples but my late Grandmother always mentioned Sant' Andrea Di Conza. I would say that that draft information could be my Great Grandfather Nicolas. I wish I knew. Is that just a "draft Card" or was he Drafted. Thank you so much for your time.

Thanks again for the help. To be clear, My Father was Nicholas Ricca, Grandfather was John Ricca, and my greatgrandfather was Nicola Ricca. My great Grandfather Nicola is who I wish to find out more about. I was told long ago that our family was from Contursi, My Grandmother said Sant' Andrea Di Conza, And Uncle's who said Salerno. I wish I knew the true area.

Is this your great-grandfather, Nicola? Last residence is given as Contursi; I presume that refers to Comune di Contursi Terme, Provincia di Salerno, Regione di Campania - about 21 miles south-southwest of Sant'andrea Di Conza.

Carmine, i wish i could sit down with you and pick that awesome brain of yours. Here is what i got. My great Grandfather Nicola Ricca, (DOB 4-17-1885) married my Great Grandmother, Concetta Montone (DOB 4-17-1883). They had 12 children.GeraldineJohn (my Grandfather)MarcoSam (did in childhood)AnthonyAnthony (died in childhood)LouisMaryMary (died in childhood)JosephTwins (died in childhood

My Great Grandfather started the Coal and Ice company that you spoke of. I really really really would like to find out where he and my GreatGrandmother were from. If I could find out who their parents were, I would be floored.

I also dont know anything about my Grandmothers (Elaine Russoniello)parents. Im in Italy as I write this. I wish I knew where my family came from. You are an amazing help Carmine. I appreciate everything that people like yourself do for us Dummies. ))))